Process for making matrix-plates for monotype-machines.



W. N IGHOLAS. PROCESS FOR MAKING MATRIX PLATES FOR MONOTYPE MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 26, 1908. 960,684, Patented June 7, 1910.

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W. NICHOLAS.

PROCESS FOR MAKING MATRIX PLATES FOR MONOTYPB MACHINES. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 26,1908.

960,684. Patented June 7,1910:

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APPLICATION FILED FEB. 26, 1908.

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WILLIAM NICHOLAS, OF YORK, N. Y., LSSIGNOR TO UNITED STATES GRABHOTYPE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

PROCESS FOR MAKING MATRIX-PLATES FOR MONOTYPE-MACHINES} Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June-'7, 1910.

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, WILLIAM NICHOLAS,

a subject of the King of Great Britain, re-

siding at New York city, in the county and State of New, York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Processes for Making Matrix-Plates for Monotype- Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a process for quickly and cheaply producing matrix plates for use in that class of type casting machines in which a complete layout or font of matrices is carried 011 a plate movable in two directions in the machine, whereby any one of the matrices on the plate may be centered over a type body mold, so that by the combination of thetype body mold and the matrix centered thereover, a type may be cast. Such matrix plates may be made from any font of type to present any desired layout. i

The object of the present invention is to make matrix plates of this character from typefounders type, so that any or all of the plates so made may register with, and be capable of interchangeable use in connection with a pin hole plate designed to be secured to the back of the matrix plate, and

-to be used in cooperation with a centering pin for the purpose of truly centering each particular matrix over the mold.

Heretofore it has been found impossible to make the matrix plate and the pin plate inde )endently of each other when using typeiounders type. The practice heretofore pursued was first to make the matrix plate with the matrices thereon as evenly distributed as possible, then to attach thereto a blank pin plate, place the two in a machine, move the attached plates to center one after another each matrix over a type corresponding thereto, and while so centered to bore in the pin plate by means of a stationary drill the centering pin hole for each matrix. This process, however, is one of difiiculty and uncertainty. It is along operation, an inaccurate one, and one which never produced entirely satisfactory results,

because, owing to the method heretofore employed, of making the matrix plates, no two.

matrix plates could be identical in the spacing of their matrices, and consequently, no

pin plate could be used with any matrix plate except that one for which, as above indicated, it was especially drilled.

My purpose is to produce pin plates in which the pin holes are drilled with mathematical accuracy at predetermined distances, and then to combine such plates with matrix plates on which the matrices have also been spaced or positioned with mathematical accuracy, so that the independently made pin plates and matrix plates may be used interchangeably, and produced in quantity independently of each other.

As a step preliminary to the process of the invention, the founders type from which a matrix plate is to be produced is first milled off at the shoulder all around the character so as to very considerably deepen or cut away the shoulder below the character. The font is'then locked in a form with proper spacing in the lines, and with furniture between the lines, so as'to locate the characters about equi-distantapart. An electroplate is then made from the type thus set.

A type mold, which may conveniently be the mold of a type casting and composing machine, is then set so that j its aperture measures in one direction the distance between the al'ined characters on the matrix plate, and in the other direction the distance between the lines of characters on the matrix plate. The matrix plate is then attached to a pin plate having pin holes already drilled therein. It is sufficient if the pin holes approximately register with the matrices on the matrix plate. Thus attached, both plates are placed in the machine. A cast is then made from the first matrix. The slu'g so cast is removed from-the mold, and by the aid of a microscope and micrometer, the

and the position of the centering pin is slightly altered by suitable adjusting means, an amount such that upon another casting the variance will be found to have been eliminated. The second or correct slug is accepted. This operation or series of opera- Q g V was.

tions is re eate'd for every matrix on the plate, u'nt' finally a complete and perfect set of t pe slugs is had. 'When' this is accomplis ed, the slugs, equal in number to the number of characters and quads upon the matrix plate are locked in a frame in the same order or arrangement as on the matrix plate first produced, and an electroplate is then made therefrom. The matrix plate so made has the matrices spaced thereon with mathematical accuracy at predetermined distances, and consequently may be used with any independently made (pin plate in which the pin holes have been rilled at the same mathematically computed distances. This same generic rocess may be carried into effect by a slightly difierent mode of procedure. Instead of assembling in a form in the first instance all the founders type to be copied, and proceeding as just indicated, each founders type ma be separately mounted in an adjustable orm. below a microscope, and the type adjusted in two directions until the type face occupies its predetermined and tabulated position with respect to two sides of the form. An electro late is then made of the type and form t us relatively positioned: a ,mold is then set to the size of the electroplate, and

a type slug cast.

The form in which the type is first adjusted is of such size that the mold when set to the electro taken therefrom will have an aperture measuring the mean distance desired between the characters on theanatrix plate to be made. The slugs thus made will necessarily, by reason of the first adjustment of the type in the form, have the characters correctly positioned thereon, so that the second casting necessary in the first process is here unnecessary. When a complete set of type slugs-for the entire font has thus been made, the slugs are assembled asin the first described procedure, and an electroplate taken 11 on which the matrices will be found to 'e spaced with mathematical accuracy, so that they may corres ond accurately with pin holes independent y drilled in a pin plate at the same'mathematically duced by either of these processes may be used as a master matrix from which, by stereotype process, and electro process any number of similar matrix plates may be made.

There are certain objections to the high shoulder of the founders type. Unless this shoulder is cut down it will reappear in the matrices of the matrix plate, and then, if by any chance or error, the shoulder in the matrix plate does not register and fit truly with the mold there will be formed a fin or oifset on the type body when the latter is cast. These fins are objectionable in that they prevent the type from lying properly computed distances. The matrix plate proagainst each other in the alley line but give the assembled line of type what is known as a fan shape, that is to say, cause the lines of type to be longer at the top than at the bottom. When this occurs it 1s imposslble to lock the type roperly in the form as the lines have a ten ency to rise in the center. By reducing the shoulder in the type founder s t pe, the shoulder in the matrix 1s complete y eliminated, and no shoulder a pearing in the matrix plate, the offsets or ns do not occur during the castmg.

Havin set forth the objects of the invention, I will now describe in detail one of the so means by which the invention may be carried into effect.

Inthe accompanyin drawings: Figure 1 represents a standar piece of founders type. Fig. 2 is a view of the same after 35 treatment thereof, in accordance with one of the steps of my process. Fig. 3 is a view illustrating the assembly of type characters, spaces and furniture in a frame, preliminary to obtaining the first electroplate, forming a 0 step of my process. Fig. 4 is a'view showing in the frame an assembly of the slugs from which the electroplate forming the matrix or master matrix of. my process is taken. Fig. 5 is a planview of a matrix plate made by my process. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a pin plate on plan view.

Ihe first few steps of the preferred manner of performing my process, are, with the exception of .the preliminary treatment of the founders type, substantially identical with the first steps of the processes heretofore employed, that is to say: I assemble the various characters 1, with proper spacing 2, and suitable type furniture 3, in a case 4, as illustrated in Fig. 3. Preliminary to such assembly, however, I first cut down in every instance shoulder 6 (see Fig. 1) of the type. This I do in a milling machine in which the type is mounted, and the tool properly guided by means of a pantograph mechanism guided over the lines of an enlarged representation of the type obtained as by means of camera-lucida rocess.

When the shoulders 6 have been cut down, the types are assembled in a frame asshown in Fig. 3. Whereas, heretofore, it has been necessary to obtain as nearly as possible a precise spacing of the characters in the case 4, and to this end it has been necessary to carefully select the quads and furniture, in my process, however, no such careful spacing of the characters is necessary. An approximate spacing is entirely suflicient, and by eliminating the careful adjustment heretofore necessary at this stage of the process, much time and expense is avoided. The characters being assembled as shown in Fig.

3, the next stage is to obtain the electroplate. This may bedone in the usual manner. The electroplate having been obtained, it is provided with a in plate the holes of which are already dril ed, and placed in position in the casting machine. It is immaterial in my process that the holes of the pin plate may not truly register with the character matrices in the matrix plate. It is not expected that they will truly register; and an approximate registration is sufficient. It is in this respect that my process differs entirely from other processes, for instead of mounting a blank pin plate on the matrix plate and proceeding to drill the pin holes therein to register with the matrices on the matrix plate, I use a drilled matrix plate, in

. the first instance as a means for producing individually a set of slugs 7, (see Fig. 4) of a kind which I believe to be entirely unique. These slugs are referably approximately square or rectangu ar in outline, and in number are equal to the numberof characters and quads on the matrix block. In size the slugs are exactly uniform, and they are of such a size that each is a factor or divisor of the distance in either direction across the face of the matrix block. Each slug has a character on its end face 8, except where the have been drilled at the same mathematically computed distances, and when so used may have the matrices thereon truly register with the holes in the pin plates.

It is impossible to obtain an eleetroplate directly from a block such as shown in Fig. 3 which can be used interchangeably with pin plates drilled at mathematically computed distances. If it were possible to secure and maintain exactness in spacing in the assembling of type, quads and furniture, then the centering ,holes of the pin plate could be drilled at mathematically computed distances from one another, without reference to the matrix plate, so that, when pin plate and matrix plate were set together, each hole would necessarily register accurately with the character matrix opposite it on the matrix plate. The discrepancies between matrix plates, as heretofore made, are due apparently to a variety of causes. The larger number of pieces of type, and spacing, and type furniture, the small, and different bearing surfaces of types, the minutevariation in set sizes of the type when faces are the slugs are cast.

vSuch obstacles of course do not present themselves in the production of an electroplate from an assembly such as illustrated in Fig. 4. w

In the assembly shown in Fig. 4 the number of slugs or pieces is small as compared to the number shown in Fig. 3. Being few in number and of substantial size they present to each other-a good bearing surface and do not have the elements of error present in the block shown in Fig. 3; I have found that electroplates, though made from different fonts or sets of slugs 7, are for all purposes identical with each other and capable of interchangeable use with mathematically correct pin plates. To secure this identity it is of course necessary that the characters be properly positioned on the slugs 7, but this last is a comparatively simple matter. The slugs with their characters are made in the following manner. The mold is first set to the size of the slugs and is maintained in this setting while all The mold being properly set and the electroplate first made, having been set with a pin plate in position in the machine,the operator commences the casting operation. cast one at a time of course as in the ordinary monotype machine. As soon as a slug with its character has been cast, it is, as heretofore stated, examined under a microscope and with a micrometer to determine. the position of the character on the slug with respect to the edges, 9 and 10, thereof.

This position will generally be found to be incorrect on the first casting. The operator then adjusts the pin or plunger of the machine an amount commensurate with the error shown by the measurement taken, and another and correct casting is made. In this way, a slug is obtained in which thechar' acter will measure correctly to the predetermined and tabulated distances from each of the lines, 9 and 10, and such slug may be considered a perfect slug for this process. ()ne by one-the different characters are presented to the mold, and the casting repeated until a correct slug for each character of a font is finally obtained.

\Vhen a correct set of slugs is obtained so that each character will be in its true position on the block, the slugs are assembled in the case, as indicated in Fig. 4, or as in'Fig. 4 except that the rows of slugs may be separated longitudinally by strips of.metal The characters are or furniture, and, the character faces brought into true alinement by upsetting against a plane surface. Thereupon the case is clam ed, the characters given the. usual grapiiite treatment, and an electroplate made therefrom. This last electroplate is capable of interchangeable use with all pin Y plates of a certain standard. Any quantity 'of matrix plates can be reproduced therefrom. Matrix plates may, therefore, be supplied in quantity to the trade'without the troublesome process of accompanying each with a specially drilled pin plate.

What I claim is: i

1. A process for making matrix plates such as described, consisting in cutting from selected founders type the shoulder at the base of the characters thereon, assembling in-proper position in a case and making a matrix therefrom as by means of an electrotyping process.

2. A rocess for making matrix plates such as escribed, consisting in cutting from selected founders type the shoulder at the base of the characters thereon, assembling such type in a case with means for approximately spacing the type, making a matrix plate from the type so assembled, castinga set of. slugs of uniform size, using in the casting operation the matrix plate obtained i as above as a means for producing the various character faces for the slugs so cast, repeating the casting after adjusting the position of the matrix plate with respect to the mold so that the slugs so obtained will have the characters accurately positioned thereon, assembling the uniform slugs thus obtained in proper position in a case and makin a matr1x plate from the slugs so assemb ed.

3. A. process for making matrix plates such as described, consisting in assembling selected type in a case with means for approximately spacing the type, making a matrix plate from the type so assembled, casting a set of slugs of uniform size, using in the casting operation the matrix plate obtained above as a means for producing the various characterfaces for the slugs so cast, repeating the casting after adjusting the position of the matrix late with respect to the mold so that the s ugs so obtained will thereon, assembling the uniform slugs thus obtained in proper position in a case and making a matrix plate from the slugs so assembled. 1

4. A process for making matrix plates such as described, consisting in assembling selected type in a case with means for approximately spacing the type, makin a matrix plate from the type so assemb ed, casting a set of type slugs, using in this casting operation t e matrix late obtained as above as a means for pro ucingthe vaposition of the matrix plate with respectto the mold so that the slugs so obtained will have the characters accurately positioned in proper position in a case and making a matrix plate from the slugs so assembled.

5. The process hereinbefore described, consisting in casting a layout of type slugs, each with a distinctlve type character thereon, the several characters being diiferently positioned on the faces of their respective slugs according to the measurements of the characters and the slugs being of a size to be locked together without intervening spaces or space quads; arrangin' the slugs with respect to the unit of set measurement of the characters thereon; and locking together the slugs so arranged to form the assembled layout.

6. The process hereinbefore described, con

uniform size, each with a distinctive type ing difierently positioned on the faces of their respective slugs according to the measurements of the characters; arranging and lockin together said slugs to form the assembled layout.

7. A process of making matrix plates such as described, consisting in assembling selected type in a case with means for approximately spacing the type, making a matrix plate from the type so assembled, then by means of a mold and said matrix plate castand predetermined position thereon, the slugs being of a size to be locked together without intervening spaces or space quads, then looking the slugs so assembled and making a master matrix late therefrom.

8. The process herembefore described, consisting in casting a layout of type slugs, each with a distinctive type character thereon, the several characters being differently positioned on the faces of their respective slugs according to the measurement of the characters, and the slugs being a size to be locked together without intervening spaces or space quads; and arranging and locking have the characters accurately positioned rious character faces for the slugs so cast, repeating the casting after adjusting the thereon, assembling the slugs thus obtained sisting in casting a layout of type slugs of character thereon, the several characters being a set of slugs with characters in precise together the slugs to form the assembled layout; and making a matrix plate from the slugs so assembled.

9. The process of making matrix plates such as described, comprising the setting of a mold to cast slugs having bodies greaterthan normal type bodies so that an assembly of such slugs may occupy the space ordinarily occupied by the character type and by the spacing pieces or quads, then approximately positioning a character matrix over the mold and casting a slug having the selected character thereon, then measuring the position of the character on the face of the slug, then adjusting the position of the character matrix over the mold to correct any error in the position of the character on the slug as indicated by the measurement, then casting another slug, so that on the slug last obtained the character is in a precise and predetermined position with respect to two edges of the slug.

10. The process of making matrix plates such as described, comprising the setting of a mold to cast uniform slugs having bodies greater than normal type bodies, so that an assembly of such slugs may occupy the space ordinarily occupied by the typecharacters and by the spacing pieces or quads, then approximately positioning a character matrix over the mold and casting a slug having the selected character thereon, then measuring the position of the character on the face of the slug, theniadjusting the position of the character matrix over the mold to correct the error in the position of the character on the slug as indicated by the measurement, then casting another slug so that on the slug last obtained the character is in a precise and predetermined position with respect to two edges of the slug, then repeating the operation until a complete set of the character slu s is obtained, then assembling the slugs and making the master matrix plate from the slugs so assembled.

11. The process of making a matrix plate in which the matrices will be uniformly distributed in vertical and horizontal lines, which consists in adjusting a character matrix over a rectangular mold of desired size, I

so as to cause the character face to occup a desired relation to two sides of the mold casting a slug in the mold thus formed and repeating this operation for the entire font, I

assembling all of the slugs thus formed, without intervening spaces, but with the addition of a suflicient number of blank slugs of the same size into a form, and making a reproduction therefrom.

12. The process of making a matrix plate in which the matrices will be uniformly distributed in vertical and horizontal lines, which consists in forming a series of type slugs for the entire font, having square or rectangular bodies ofuniform size, with the characters located upon one end of such bodies each in a predetermined position with respect to two sides of the body, then assembling these slugs into a square and making an electroplate therefrom.

13. The process of making a matrix plate in which the matrices will be uniformly distributed in vertical and horizontal lines,

making an electroplate therefrom, mount- I ing the electroplate thus formed upon a pin plate, mounting the combined pin plate.

and matrix plate in a casting machine, centering by means of the pin plate each matrix over a mold, casting from each matrix type slugs of uniform size, measuring each type slug thus. cast to determine the error of placement of the character upon the end of the body, re-adjusting the matrix plate in relation to the mold so as to correct-this error, and repeating this action until a full set of erfect type slugs are formed in each of Wl'llCll the character face will be accurately located in relation to two sides of the slug body, then assembling the type slugs thus made in a form, and making therefrom a matrix plate, which may be then attached to any pin plate of standard construction, or be used as a master matrix plate from which stereotypes may be taken for the production of other accurate matrix plates.

Signed by me at New York city, this 20 day of February 1908.

WILLIAM NICHOLAS.

Witnesses:

J. F. Woonwonrn, EMMA-W. Rsnmi; 

